ATLANTA: GUARDS: It was a rocky offseason for JEFF TEAGUE, who looked like a goner at one point. Instead, he'll be the focal point of Atlanta's offense . . . Coming off a torn ACL, resident gunner LOUIS WILLIAMS is a question mark entering the season, especially as a guy who relied so much on quickness and explosiveness. He may not be right again until 2014-15 . . . JOHN JENKINS was rock solid as a rookie and should see a bump in playing time with DeShawn Stevenson gone. Jenkins is a legit shooter who can hold his own defensively . . . Rookie DENNIS SCHRODER is a year or two away from consistent minutes, but the penniless man's Rajon Rondo comparisons aren't off . . . JARED CUNNINGHAM is a middling talent destined for a minor role. FORWARDS: PAUL MILLSAP was lost in the shuffle in Utah last year, but he'll be a significant part of this offense in Atlanta. He's a well-rounded power forward and may prove to be a better fit than Josh Smith was for the Hawks . . . KYLE KORVER is coming off a huge year and will play major minutes at both wing spots again . . . A shadow of his former self, ELTON BRAND will rotate in at power forward and center . . . This generation's junkyard dog, DEMARRE CARROLL gives Atlanta some defensive options on the wing and energy off the bench. Outside of some transition baskets, he's a non-factor on offense . . . Euro veteran PERO ANTIC is a finesse stretch four who provides frontcourt depth. CENTERS: After playing a lot of power forward alongside Zaza Pachulia last year, AL HORFORD will spend most of this season at center. With Josh Smith gone, he's poised to have his biggest offensive numbers ever . . . GUSTAVO AYON has proven capable of eating up some space on the second unit. He'll be the second big off the bench after Elton Brand.

INDIANA: GUARDS: GEORGE HILL is less of a creator and more of a game-manager/scorer, which fits fine in this starting five . . . LANCE STEPHENSON continues to be an enigma. His speed pushing the ball in transition is an asset, but his terrible shooting and bizarre decision-making often makes him a liability in the half court . . . C.J. WATSON has proven to be a capable second-unit point guard, but he's on his third team in three years because he's managed to give away two playoff games with monumentally bad moments . . . ORLANDO JOHNSON is unlikely to see meaningful minutes, but his role should grow slightly now that Gerald Green is gone. FORWARDS: This is PAUL GEORGE'S team. Once a do-it-all role player, he's now polished enough to create his own offense . . . As expected, DAVID WEST bounced back in his second season off a torn ACL. He's still deadly as a mid-range shooter, a savvy passer and a strong rebounder . . . LUIS SCOLA slides into Tyler Hansbrough's old role as a second-unit banger, and insurance for West and Roy Hibbert . . . DANNY GRANGER is in no-man's land. He's not better than Paul George, and probably no longer an upgrade over Lance Stephenson. His best asset may be his expiring deal . . . CHRIS COPELAND can't defend, but gives the Pacers a three-point threat . . . SOLOMON HILL doesn't figure to contribute this season. CENTERS: ROY HIBBERT proved capable of handling more minutes last season, but Indy will likely still be cautious with their asthmatic 7-foot-2 center during the regular season . . . IAN MAHINMI is back to give his six fouls and move some bodies out of the paint.

The Indiana Pacers seemed to head into the All-Star break a little too early on the offensive end. Now, they're looking to bounce back from a rare loss on their home court.

The Atlanta Hawks' shooting slump led to their longest losing streak of the season, though that won't be easy to remedy against the NBA's top defensive club.

The Pacers will try to avoid dropping back-to-back home games for the first time this season while dealing the Hawks their sixth straight defeat Tuesday night.

Eastern Conference-best Indiana (40-12) posted its worst offensive performance in an 81-73 loss to Dallas on Wednesday, reaching season lows in points and field-goal percentage (32.1).

The Pacers, who suffered their second loss in three games overall and third in 28 home games, had totaled 237 points on 51.2 percent shooting in their previous two at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

"They beat us at our game," said George Hill, who had a team-high 14 points. "They played well and we just didn't play good enough. We gave one away. It's unfortunate, but it's over now."

Paul George, 11th in the NBA with 22.2 points per game, finished with just 12 points while missing 13 of 17 shots. He's struggled at home recently, averaging 13.7 points on 13-of-50 (26.0 percent) shooting in his last three games.

The star guard, though, will try to build off his 18-point, five-rebound, five-assist performance Sunday to help the East take the All-Star Game 163-155 in New Orleans.

George totaled 46 points and 19 rebounds as the Pacers split a pair of meetings in Atlanta earlier this season. He averaged 23.7 points and 9.7 boards in three home wins in last season's first-round playoff series that Indiana won in six games.

David West also has played well against the Hawks, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds in an 89-85 victory in Atlanta on Feb. 4. He scored 24 in a series-clinching 106-83 win in the most recent meeting in Indianapolis on May 1.

Now Indiana hopes to get back on track against the Hawks (25-26), who have allowed an average of 103.8 points while dropping four of five road games.

Atlanta also has scuffled on the offensive end, averaging 85.8 points - far below its 101.4 season average - during its worst skid since a six-game slide in April 2011.

The Hawks shot 38.5 percent while missing 16 of 20 from 3-point range in a 104-83 loss at Toronto on Wednesday. Gustavo Ayon had a season-high 18 points and Paul Millsap added 17.

"It's been a tough stretch," coach Mike Budenholzer said after his team's third straight road loss dropped it below .500 for the first time since Dec. 2.

Millsap, who had six points in Sunday's All-Star Game, has totaled 11 while making only 3 of 21 from the field in the two meetings with the Pacers. Though Millsap finished with a season-low four points on 1-of-10 shooting Jan. 8, Kyle Korver led five players in double figures in a 97-87 home win.

DeMarre Carroll may be able to provide a boost if he can return from a left hamstring injury. The starting forward has averaged 14.9 points while hitting 20 of 39 from beyond the arc in his last 10 games.

The Hawks have averaged 84.5 points on 38.8 percent shooting in their last four - including last postseason - against the Pacers, who allow an NBA-low 90.3 points per game and a 41.0 field-goal percentage.

Indiana has won five straight home meetings, including last postseason.